What Is Tooth Extraction?
Let's look at these questions together. Read on to learn more about
tooth extraction. Posted below are some helpful facts. In addition, you can learn about sedation options and recovery time. Regardless of which type of extraction you need, these tips should help you prepare for the procedure. Read on to learn about the steps involved in tooth extraction.
Dental ExtractionWhen you have a dental extraction, you will most likely experience bleeding afterward. This is the result of a blood clot that forms in the socket of the tooth after the tooth is removed. A dental practitioner will use various hemostatic techniques to stop the bleeding, such as the application of oxidized cellulose or fibrin sealant. The dentist will also have an array of sutures and absorbent gauze on hand. Generally, it takes about 30 minutes of continuous pressure to stop bleeding completely.
First, a local anesthetic is injected near the tooth to numb the surrounding area, and the patient will remain conscious during the procedure. In more complicated cases, the patient may be given a sedative to ease the pain. Next, the dentist will use forceps to physically pull the tooth structure out of its socket. After the tooth is extracted, the socket will be cleaned and the jaw bone reshaped, depending on the nature of the root. The gum may need to be stitched to regain its natural position after the extraction, and it may take several minutes.
Sedation OptionsWhen a patient is dreading the prospect of a dental procedure, there are a few options for sedation. These drugs may make the patient feel drowsy, but they won't make the patient unconscious. Depending on the dosage and strength, a patient may fall asleep during the extraction. Patients should plan ahead for transportation to and from the office if they are under conscious sedation.
In a general anesthetic, a Registered Nurse starts an IV line in the patient's arm and administers medications through it. The patient is awake, but will not remember much about the procedure. The medications work quickly, and patients are in a deep, relaxed state throughout the entire procedure. An IV is the safest and most predictable sedation option for a tooth extraction. This type of sedation is used when a patient's anxiety level is high.